Future

Professionally, I have an incredibly diverse and unique skill set. I also feel like what I’ve gone through has garnered me wisdom that will serve me well for the rest of my days. Very few people will be able to walk through the fire that I’ve had to endure and come out better for it. During my time in prison, I focused intently on bettering myself, learning about myself, and educating myself on many different topics. I look at it as a gift. 

Throughout my life I have planted many seeds. I think about the Sequoia trees of Yosemite National Park. I’ve never visited them, but I look forward to doing that one day. It blows my mind to think about how at one time these enormous trees started out as just a tiny seed. Now these incredible trees can measure more than 20 feet wide and 300 feet tall. Their root system goes down about 12 feet and stretches out into an area about 80 feet in diameter. Their resistance to disease, insect damage, and fire make them almost indestructible. They have a built-in ability to recycle and regenerate that contributes to their 2000-year life span. The seed of a Sequoia tree is no bigger than that of a tomato plant, and when it matures it will produce 400,000 seeds of its own every year. 

After all I’ve been through, I feel like a Sequoia tree. Stronger, tested, my roots run deeper and wider than ever before. I’m ready for whatever the world will try to throw at me. I’ve gained wisdom from what I’ve learned through the process, and I look forward to using that wisdom to plant seeds of other strong trees for the generations to come. I don’t know exactly what God has in store for me. Maybe I will lead a sales organization, run a nonprofit, and maybe I’ll even coach again one day. All I know is that I’m ready. I’m grateful for a second chance. I will use it to pour life into others and plant seeds that my children will be proud of.